Choosing to count

Joining Ann today


Counting blessings

You never know
You never really know
And you can't have people figured out.
One friend came in
Out of nowhere with lit
Sparklers in both her hands for me,
And saved the day when I had run away
To envy and black feelings
And the world at night
Could see the greatest light
Too much light to deny.

from July
Karen Peris


220 - red Converse

221 - tree love

222 - fresh peaches

223 - the "it's not really good for you, but we don't care 'cause it's delicious" homemade trail mix

224 - thrifted mats

225 - things that sparkle

226 - moths and mint

227 - Royal mail

228 - sunlight at 5 o'clock

Relentless

"Godly love endures beyond life's hurts by pulling us relentlessly toward the never-diminishing care of the Father."
Bill Crowder

oil pastel on canvasette


I'm not eager for your wounds,
But I know they are faithful.
Putting self to death
And my heart full-blown will live again
Like a tulip in the doorway of your house.


Joining Emily today

When the going gets tough, the tough make pickles

Okay, so the pictures are garish and the lighting is yuck. And I hate the colors. But trust me, the pickles are yum--crunchy, easy, yum. That is, if you like pickles. Last week was a bit stressful for our family. I heard somewhere that eating crunchy things relieves stress. That's why they give you peanuts on an airplane - did you know that? But never mind that. Here's the recipe:


1 gallon jar
3-4 cucumbers sliced the long way
2-3 onions, quartered
2-3 garlic cloves

Stuff everything in the jar. Add a tablespoon or so of dill seed. Two cups of vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar 'cause I like the taste, but white is fine).
A half cup of kosher salt. After this, fill the jar with water. Screw lid on, and shake. Leave for one day on kitchen counter, then two days in the fridge. Ready to eat. :)

The pickled onions taste especially good with crusty bread and butter.

Still counting

Joining Ann today


Counting blessings

"Even if I knew certainly the world would end tomorrow, I would plant an apple tree today."
Martin Luther

214 - the saints who have gone before

215 - iron and wood

216 - texture

217 - butterfly conventions

218 - hummingbird

219 - comfort food

A Tale of Two Jades

This is a most favorite necklace from my sweetheart. It's called greenstone, or New Zealand jade. Greenstone carving is of Maori tradition, the Maori being the native people of New Zealand. The different carved shapes symbolize various virtues. The shape of this particular piece represents determination. Even the shade of green of this piece of jade has a name - kohuwai - called after the greenish moss growth in a slow running stream. It's very special to me.

Even more special is our young friend Jade Lee. He is a most talented film maker / photograher / God-lover. It would mean a lot to me if you would take a visit to his new blog, and even leave a comment. It's a good thing to encourage one another. So when Jade is a well-known film maker one day, we'll be able to say "we knew him when...." and perhaps claim a role in one of his films *ahem*

Partners with angels

my painting of a Raphael angel - oil on canvas


I wasn't eavesdropping. Your voice carried into the quiet of my home, through the open windows. Loud, worried words caught my attention and caused me to stop, listen, and pray. Pray for you, your family, the guy you were talking to. "God, help them all. Give them wisdom and protect them". It occured to me, Lord, how amazing it is, how you strategically place your people, eyes and ears open.

I thought of Amy, who last week shared her story of the lost girl she was moved to pray for. And another soul sister (I wish I could remember her name) who upon seeing the rumpled guy stumble out of the mini-mart, was first frightened, but whose fear melted into compassion when she really looked at him, and prayed for him.

When I remember these things, when I get to participate, then my insides sing How Great Thou Art, because You are there, and we Your children were born for times such as this. Partners with angels. Prayers like incense. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.


Joining Emily today

I reckon so

Joining Ann today

"If you keep a green bough in your heart,
the singing bird will come."
Chinese Proverb

Counting blessings

206 - most beautiful snail mail

207 - natural light

208 - an invitation to play

209 - good faith

210 - remembering mommy & daughter dates

211 - shadow kisses

212 - morning glories

213 - these words: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report...let your mind dwell on these things." Phil. 4:8

Blackberry cordial - help, please

Hello, blogging friends. Does anyone out there have any tips for making blackberry cordial? Last year I tried to make it--epic fail. It was more like jelly in a wine bottle. I'm familiar with canning/bottling and I followed the recipe, so I don't know where I went wrong. I have a new recipe, but any helpful hints would be appreciated as I don't want to waste this year's pickings. And if you have a tried and true recipe you'd be willing to share, I'm all ears (or eyes, heh, heh) :)

This I know to be true

A few days after my dad had died, I began to paint. Working through my grief, this is what came out.

"It makes perfect sense", said a friend of mine. "Everything has an opposite. You are sad but your spirit is seeking the opposite emotion for balance's sake. Joy and sorrow, good and evil--opposites". Hmmmm...interesting thought, with what seems to be a bit of truth. But not for me. I believe God alone is truly good, and He has no opposite. Evil, or satan if you will, is not His opposite, and certainly not His equal. God is above all. His love conquers all. This I know to be true. My spirit did not seek Him. He sought me. He saw me as I was/am and loves me just the same. He sees me/us as we were intended to be--His plan--should we choose the life that's offered. His Spirit transcends everything, even this imperfect attempt to describe a love so immense that it cannot be contained.

When I look at this painting now, I remember my earthly dad, and cling to my heavenly one.


Joining Emily today

The Time Traveler's Life

In case you're new to Curious Acorn, this is what I do. I dress as an 18th century indentured servant and teach young people what life was like in the 1700's. Sometimes I make candles, but mostly I cook. It's called living history. Standing before a blazing hearth when it is a hundred degrees outside isn't the pleasantest of pasttimes. But having a job where I'm learning just as much as my students is a blast. For instance, we learned that no matter what the recipe says, meringue cooked in a dutch oven is disgusting. Also, some weeds are edible. And--an old copper bucket, ice, and a can are all that is needed to make delicious ice cream 18th century style. We stirred, sifted, burnt, and pickled our way through the week. The highlight for me was teaching teenage girls that garlic was for eating, not for keeping vampires away. Seriously. That's what they believed. What a world. Welcome to mine.

How amazing it is to digitally record life as it may have happened 300 years ago, and to share with young minds the ingenuity of their ancestors.